Harper returned an interception for a touchdown in Carolina's 34-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The teams were playing for the NFC South title and a spot in the NFL playoffs.

Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan overthrew wide receiver Roddy White in the second quarter, and Harper grabbed the ball for his career-high fourth interception of the season, then turned it into a 31-yard pick-six as the Panthers took a 17-3 lead with 4:18 left in the first half.

Harper recorded the second interception TD return of his career. The first, which came in 2007, also came against Atlanta and also covered 31 yards.

Harper, a prep star at Prattville High School, also made six tackles against Atlanta.

The Panthers host the Arizona Cardinals at 3:35 p.m. CST Saturday in the opening game of the NFL playoffs. The game will be televised by ESPN.

Harper is the only starter in Carolina's secondary who also started the first game of the season. After the Panthers' sixth straight loss on Nov. 30, Carolina committed to two rookies and a third-year player in the defensive backfield, with Harper as the leader of what he called the "young and dumb" secondary, and the team ran off four straight December victories to reach the playoffs.

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Kirkpatrick earned his award with two interceptions of Peyton Manning in the fourth quarter of the Bengals' 37-28 victory over the Denver Broncos on Dec. 22. Kirkpatrick returned one of the interceptions 30 yards for a touchdown with 2:41 left in the game.

The Bengals also are in the playoffs. Cincinnati visits the Indianapolis Colts at 12:05 p.m. Sunday. The game will be televised by CBS.